From Volunteer to Children’s Counsellor

I went into bereavement counselling after the death of a close friend...

Jo Radcliffe with Jan Grocott, Head of Counselling Support Services

One of Jo Radcliffe’s first counselling placements, as a Volunteer, was at Alice House Hospice in 2012 working with people from the community who have been bereaved or anticipating the death of a loved one.

Jo said“I went into bereavement counselling after the death of a close friend from cancer in 2008. I saw the effect her death had on her family and my own family. I wanted to be able to support other families living with or losing someone with cancer. I feel very passionate about acknowledging grief and the sadness and emptiness it brings when a loved one dies. I continued to volunteer as a Counsellor for 4 years, which allowed me to gain experience and accumulate my client hours in working towards my accreditation.

In 2015, I was employed by the Hospice to deliver a Children’s Counselling Service for those who have been impacted by a family member with a diagnosis of a long-term illness. This was funded as a pilot project for one year only and was seen as beneficial by the families we worked with. In this role, I saw the importance of opening up the communication in families.

In 2017, I completed a diploma in working with families. Being able to work with families ignites the passion I have in my work and I’m really excited to be back at Alice House Hospice, as the Kay Smith Counsellor, to deliver counselling to children, young people and their families.

The Counselling Team at Alice House are very supportive of each other and this support is extended and received by everyone who works or volunteers here.